It doesn't matter if it's your first, second, fifth or the fiftieth anniversary, sending flowers or bringing home a bouquet for your spouse is a very romantic and thoughtful thing that you can do. The surprise and the loving look that your spouse will bestow you with will be worth it and will be a memory that you will cherish for a lifetime. While roses are truly the quintessential messenger of love, during the Victorian era, couples used other varieties of fresh flowers in arrangements to send messages to each other as well; each expressing a different heartfelt emotion. These meanings are carried on today as well as a way to commemorate each wedding anniversary through floral gifts.
Flowers for Anniversaries
1st Anniversary: Carnations are the flowers to be given on the 1st anniversary. Carnations with its clove-like delicate fragrance and long lasting qualities; it is a symbol of joy and commitment promised for years to come. Red carnations symbolize admiration, white carnation is a symbol of pure and innocent love and a pink carnation says, "I'll never forget you."
2nd Anniversary: The flower for the 2nd anniversary is lily. Lilies signify happiness, devotion, purity of heart and humility. As per a well-known legend, nightingales adored this flower so much that they wouldn't return to the woods till lilies were in season during spring.
3rd Anniversary: Representing strength, nourishment, deep loyalty, warmth and constancy; all the attributes of the sun itself,
sunflowers are the anniversary flowers for the third year of a happily married couple.
4th Anniversary: Hydrangea, a symbol of pride and gratefulness and celebrating appreciation and heartfelt praises, you just can't go wrong with giving these flowers on your fourth year of togetherness.
5th Anniversary: Legend has it that in the Victorian times, young maidens would pluck the petals of
daisies to predict their romantic future. Yes, daisies are the flowers to be given on the fifth anniversary that are a symbol of gentleness, purity and innocence on behalf of both the giver and the receiver.
6th Anniversary: Calla, a trumpet shaped blooms with a slender and graceful profile symbolises growth and transition that refects the pride and beauty gained during the six years of being together.
7th Anniversary: Freesia is a symbol of fidelity and trust and is an apt way of conveying the fact that the seventh year of wedded bliss provokes restfulness. Freesia is a traditional reminder of love's honourable character.
8th Anniversary: Reminiscent of springtime and young love,
lilacs are a symbol of love's first emotions. Their heart-shaped and irresistibly fragrant blooms with deep green leaves make lilacs an ideal flower for the couple celebrating their eight years together.
9th Anniversary: Bird of Paradise resembles one of the most exotic and striking birds in the world. Its large orange and blue blossoms are a symbol of splendour and magnificence that is a celebration of the unexpected side of romance.
10th Anniversary: Daffodils possess a fresh and sweet fragrance, which is a symbol of chivalry and love. The daffodil reminds us of simple pleasures in life and renewal.
11th Anniversary: Tulips are believed to be the most romantic flowers of all times by many. The black, velvety centre of the tulip represents a heart of the lover darkened by the heat of passion. Tulips are a symbol of grace, elegance and of declaring your love.
12th Anniversary: Peonies are regarded as an omen of good fortune and a happy marriage. When fully bloomed the lush peony represents prosperity and romance and is also known as the flower of honour and riches.
13th Anniversary: Associated with loveliness and abundance,
chrysanthemums are a symbol of fidelity.
14th Anniversary: The flower for the 14th anniversary is an
orchid. Pink orchids symbolise affection and the popular cattelya orchid represents mature mail. With a universal message of love, thoughtfulness, wisdom and beauty, the graceful orchid also symbolizes affection and understanding.
15th Anniversary: Rose is one of the earliest flowers known to man that symbolises passion, hope, love and magic. Giving these flowers on your 15th anniversary signifies your love and affection for your spouse.
20th Anniversary: It is believed that
aster has magical properties and is a talisman of love. The star-like bloom is a symbol of elegance and patience and represents a combination of good fortune and gained wisdom.
25th Anniversary: Faith, wisdom, valour, hope, and promise; all the characteristics of a long and happy marriage is appropriately symbolised by the
iris. Iris is also the emblem of France, which also happens to be the most romantic countries in the world.
30th Anniversary: The sweetly fragrant
lily, with its star-shaped bloom, represents pride, devotion and beauty; a further testament to such a significant milestone.
40th Anniversary: Gladiolus signifies remembrance, an aptly so, befitting an anniversary with so many fond years to remember with the cherished memories of your spouse.
50th Anniversary: The flowers for this anniversary are
yellow roses and violets. It is not at all surprising that the wedding anniversary that celebrates half a century of togetherness should be represented by two flowers.
Now that you have an idea about the flowers associated with each anniversaries, go ahead and impress your spouse without further delay.